News
accounts reported that
Isayaev's threats
were directed at Georgy Yans, a reporter for Moskovsky Komsomolets, and editor Aider Muzhdabayev in connection
with an article published in
the paper on Friday headlined "Political Prostitution Changes Its Gender." The
article had criticized three of United Russia's female parliament members for switching
parties--from opposition to pro-government--and for changing their position on
restrictive legislation, including the re-criminalization of defamation, which
they had once opposed.

"These
menacing posts are especially alarming given the long record of politically
motivated attacks against critical journalists in Russia," said CPJ Europe and
Central Asia Research Associate Muzaffar Suleymanov. "These remarks should be repudiated as ones that cross the line into threats against
individuals' safety."

In
a letter published on
Saturday by the independent broadcaster Ekho Moskvy, Isayev claimed that in his
post he was referring to unnamed individuals who publish "dirty, cursing, and
swearing" commentaries online. He did not refer to the journalists by name,
even though his posts had mentioned a specific article and its editor and
author. The politician accused the independent press of "radical liberalism," and
said he considered the Moskovsky
Komsomolets article to be a vulgar attack against successful women.

In
an interview with the
independent news website Gazeta
today, Isayev said he did not regret his post and said the journalists, as well
as the newspaper, should be brought to justice for insulting parliament members.

Pavel
Gusev, chief editor of Moskovsky
Komsomolets, said he had filed a complaint with the general prosecutor's
office, asking that the threats be investigated, news reports said.

For
more data and analysis on Russia, visit CPJ's Attacks
on the Press.